A traditional ribbon-cutting would never do for the dedication of a classroom building packed with state-of-the-art technology. Instead, the ends of two supersized USB cables made the connection between Johns Hopkins and the Hodson Trust to officially open Hodson Hall on the Homewood campus.

Signs praising "The Hodson-Hopkins Partnership for Excellence in Education" served as a backdrop in the building's fully wired auditorium, where the Hodson board joined the Hopkins community for the Oct. 29 event. Also in attendance was Sen. Paul Sarbanes of Maryland, who chairs the Senate Banking and Finance Committee.

Finn M.W. Caspersen, longtime chairman of the Hodson Trust, makes a connection with Raymond "Chip" Mason, chairman of the university trustees. Lights flashed when the cables met.

The Hodson Trust, begun by the family of Beneficial founder Col. Clarence Hodson, supports four colleges in Maryland and since 1920 has awarded more than $126.4 million to fund scholarships, academic programs, buildings and other activities. Johns Hopkins alone has received $39.8 million.

In addition to high-tech classrooms, Hodson houses a boardroom for university and Hodson trustees and also the archives of the Hodson Trust and of Beneficial Corp., the model for the modern consumer finance industry.

"This building is the future of education," said President William R. Brody. "It is transforming the way faculty teach and students learn."